Her 1837 voyage linked Portsmouth, Copenhagen, Kronstadt, and Rio while carrying Minister George Dallas to Russia and then joining the Brazil Squadron. Commodore John Nicholson's unsupported attempt to mediate between France and Argentina illustrates the limits of a prestigious flagship without government authority or overwhelming national power behind it. Recommissioned for the Mexican-American War, Independence blockaded the coast, helped capture vessels, and landed sailors and Marines to occupy Mazatlan. She then cruised to Hawaii before returning east and later served as the first American warship to show the flag at Spezia. The razee's assignments demonstrate the diplomatic reach, commerce protection, and amphibious utility that justified retaining a large cruising flagship.
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Independence serves diplomacy, commerce, and the Mexican War
As a razee flagship, Independence carried a minister to Russia, protected South American commerce, blockaded Mexico, and landed forces at Mazatlan.